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Jul 10, 2013 7:18 PM CST
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how do you chop down elephant ears when they get to tall
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Jul 10, 2013 7:19 PM CST
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Name: Dave Whitinger
Southlake, Texas (Zone 8a)
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I use a knife or machete. Doesn't seem to hurt them at all. They grow new leaves all the time.
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Jul 11, 2013 3:11 AM CST
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Name: Evan
Pioneer Valley south, MA, USA (Zone 6a)
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dave said:I use a knife or machete. Doesn't seem to hurt them at all. They grow new leaves all the time.

I agree Some get so thick I use a small garden dedicated hand saw.
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Jul 11, 2013 7:52 AM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

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Yep ... just chop away! I have in my yard that seems to spread like crazy ... I try to pull up the little pups as they sprout to keep them in bounds!
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Jul 11, 2013 2:25 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
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Most people say to use "sharp clean shears" on any plant you cut, but I've been getting by with an old bolt cutter to cut thick hard stems. One blade crushes the stem against a flat surface.

Less than ideal, but it hasn't killed anything yet. I do clean and sharpen the blade fairly often.
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Jul 11, 2013 3:07 PM CST
Name: Cheryl
North of Houston TX (Zone 9a)
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I have never cut down my EE's. I don't see the need to. Are you cutting them back to keep them from spreading?
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Aug 16, 2013 6:30 PM CST
Name: Anna Z.
Monroe, WI
Charter ATP Member Greenhouse Cat Lover Raises cows Region: Wisconsin
I cut my colocasia back when I take them in the g'house in the fall. They seem to get buggy so easy. I use a hedge trimmers. LOL However, the Alocasia seem to do just fine without cutting back. I don't know why, but they do.
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